Purple Parking 'Meet & Greet'

Would like to hear from anyone who has used this service at London Heathrow Terminal 3?

Current offer is just slightly more expensive than using the long stay or NCP this November and includes a valet.

It all looks good on paper but it just feels slightly weird at handing over my car keys outside the terminal to someone I don't know!

Would be interested to know if you get some sort of paperwork to confirm they've taken the car etc...

[Nottingham Nick]

Used it twice recently, and think it is brilliant.

First time we used it we arrived a fair bit earlier tan booked, but just rang them as we passed Toddington and altered the arrival time without a problem.

If you intend using Revivals, hold off ringoing them when you pick your luggage up.

The price compared to the normal mini bus service seems to vary. I am happy to pay the supplement for the convenience of arriving at the airport and being in the Clubhouse within a few minutes - queues permitting. [8D]

With regards to paperwork - they are expecting you, and you get the same printout with your details on and the number to phone when you get back to LHR. All the drivers wear PP uniforms and I didn't have any issues handing my keys over.

Nick

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As above we had no problems with them

I'll echo what Nick has said, i've used them half a dozen times and never had any problems at all. Driver is always there waiting for you, in a unifrom, always checks vehicle over and gives you a receipt for it.

Upon returning, i have rung them and the car has always been there within about 10-15 mins, normally though it's quicker.

When we were running late once a quick call on the way and they told the driver we would be late.

When we had the drive through check in trial recently, i picked the driver up at the front of T3 went round the block throught drive through check in and he took the vehicle from us there.

All in all always been an excellent service

PS they have always been far cheaper than NCP valet as well, have you done the quote through the FC web site to get your discount?

We use PP for work and I've used them nearly every month for the last couple of years.

I would strongly recommend them - I've never had any problems and it takes a lot of hassle out of arriving and leaving the airport.

One tip - call them as soon as you get your mobile switched back on upon landing - their car park is a good 15 minutes away with no traffic, in the rush hour, nearer 30 minutes.

Booking through the VS website gives you good value as well - they've recently split their business and non business web sites with the more competitive pricing discounted on the business site through VS - and what's more, if you book at the moment you get a free car wash worth 18.50 for free!

nibbs

We use them a lot too and find it works really well. I know what you mean about handing over the car keys but from our experience it does save a lot of time and the car (touch wood) is always returned without problems. Really friendly too.

Thank you one and all - have booked today.

Hi Folks - just bumping this one up because we're looking to get meet and greet (or a car park walkable from T3) for our trip in February.

We had a rubbish experience with Purple Parking in April when we were waiting for an hour at T3 for our car to be delivered, and some dealt with some very unprofessional staff.

Are there any other companies that you guys would recommend, or are Purple Parking the best and we were unlucky on that occasion?

I used them several times, the most recent being Feb this year. I've never had a problem, so I think you may have been unfortunate, but I'll be interested to see if any other have comments

I've never had any problems with PP meet and greet. They have always been prompt at the kerbside drop-off and speedy with car return.
Maybe you were just unlucky?
DL

Just used the official BAA Valet parking (T3) a few weeks ago (out on 24th June, back in 6th July) and they were excellent: didn't have the "hanging around" that we have had with PP at T3 before.... (BAA have an office/hut right on the terminal forecourt). More expensive than PP, but worth the extra convenience for me (with a toddler and loads of luggage - circling round or hanging around for PP is not attractive)....

Hi Folks - just bumping this one up because we're looking to get meet and greet (or a car park walkable from T3) for our trip in February.

We had a rubbish experience with Purple Parking in April when we were waiting for an hour at T3 for our car to be delivered, and some dealt with some very unprofessional staff.

Are there any other companies that you guys would recommend, or are Purple Parking the best and we were unlucky on that occasion?

I wouldn't trust any one else to park/drive my car in this situation. If I do decide to drive I will just use the short stay multistory which you can usually pre book at a very good rate, usually cheaper than a meet & greet.

After a long haul I'd rather have a taxi/chauffeur service though. Usually works out about the same price after I figure in petrol/parking/wear & tear and is easier as you are just dropped off and picked up with no worries about damamge to your car.

I used Purple Parking M&G at Gatwick last week - my first time and it was great.

I agree it is a bit wierd handing your car and keys over to a complete stranger, but I got the same car back a week later in the same condition!

At LGW it is provided by Airparks and I could not fault the service. There was a uniformed guy there expecting us on arrival and he gives you a bar-coded card in return for your key. That's handy because it has the phone number and instructions for your return. They were also professional on pick up and return with a check round the car and noting down milage and fuel level.

I wouldn't trust any one else to park/drive my car in this situation. If I do decide to drive I will just use the short stay multistory which you can usually pre book at a very good rate, usually cheaper than a meet & greet.

After a long haul I'd rather have a taxi/chauffeur service though. Usually works out about the same price after I figure in petrol/parking/wear & tear and is easier as you are just dropped off and picked up with no worries about damamge to your car.

If I had your car I would probably be the same . Actually on relection I am the same, as I must confess I don't use "my" car for airport runs (for one thing you'd get my pull alomg in but nothing else LOL, and I am a tad neurotic about parking her anywhere near other cars :0 ). For reasons of practicality Mr DL's motor is the chariot we use.
DL

I wouldn't trust any one else to park/drive my car in this situation. If I do decide to drive I will just use the short stay multistory which you can usually pre book at a very good rate, usually cheaper than a meet & greet.

After a long haul I'd rather have a taxi/chauffeur service though. Usually works out about the same price after I figure in petrol/parking/wear & tear and is easier as you are just dropped off and picked up with no worries about damamge to your car.

If I had your car I would probably be the same . Actually on relection I am the same, as I must confess I don't use "my" car for airport runs (for one thing you'd get my pull alomg in but nothing else LOL, and I am a tad neurotic about parking her anywhere near other cars :0 ). For reasons of practicality Mr DL's motor is the chariot we use.
DL

Ha ha I've just upgraded it making me even more determined not to hand over the keys and tracker tags and all the other security bits that would take me half an hour to explain to someone anyway

Good news for all you miles whores out there. I had an email last week from Flying Club confirming increased miles allowance when using Purple Parking.

Book car parking with them at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester or Glasgow airports by 9 August 2011 for travel anytime in the next 11 months, and you'll earn triple the usual Flying Club miles.

I have used both Meet and Greet and Park and Ride and had nothing but good experiences.

We've had excellent experiences every time we've used PP Meet and Greet too and have them booked for January at T3 LHR.

Good news for all you miles whores out there. I had an email last week from Flying Club confirming increased miles allowance when using Purple Parking.

Book car parking with them at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester or Glasgow airports by 9 August 2011 for travel anytime in the next 11 months, and you'll earn triple the usual Flying Club miles.

I have used both Meet and Greet and Park and Ride and had nothing but good experiences.

Thanks for posting this Jeffers

Does the email say whether the triple miles offer works for existing bookings? I'm using PP M&G at LHR later this month. It would be handy to get 1,500 miles rather than 500.

Cheers

Martin

Good news for all you miles whores out there. I had an email last week from Flying Club confirming increased miles allowance when using Purple Parking.

Book car parking with them at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester or Glasgow airports by 9 August 2011 for travel anytime in the next 11 months, and you'll earn triple the usual Flying Club miles.

I have used both Meet and Greet and Park and Ride and had nothing but good experiences.

Thanks for posting this Jeffers

Does the email say whether the triple miles offer works for existing bookings? I'm using PP M&G at LHR later this month. It would be handy to get 1,500 miles rather than 500.

Cheers

Martin

If I were you Martin I would cancel your existing booking and make a new one. That way you should definately get the extra miles. Dont forget to do it by the 9th though. y)

Until I moved to Norfolk late last year, my regular trips to Heathrow Airport for my frequent flights to Germany involved an easy bus ride from Harrow, where I was pleased to mix with fellow travellers on the 140 bus to Terminal Two. But now the trip to Heathrow, combined with London business meetings, mean that I need to use my car for the trip to Heathrow - and for the first time for years I have to explore the options for parking the car for the few days I am abroad.

A choice of services

As befits the busiest airport in the world, public transport to and from the airport is reliable and frequent with a choice of trains, coaches, Heathrow Express from Paddington Station, taxis and car hire. In my research I found very quickly, that the choice of airport car parks is no less comprehensive, with over 25 companies offering off-airport facilities, in addition to the main on-airport car parks operated by BAA (British Airport Authority). For me, in the end, it was easy to choose, in the recently-refurbished Q-Park London Heathrow, a completely re-vamped and redesigned secure off-airport car park at reasonable rates and handy for Terminal Two, situated just off the A4, five minutes from the tunnel. For the first-timer, the site offered quick and simple and easy access and exit routes, with clear directional signposts from the main road.

Meet and Greet at Heathrow

Additionally though, amongst the other car parks which caught my attention, was the one operated by a company called Chauffeured park and ride airport parking Services Limited who offer a special Meet and Greet service where uniformed drivers can meet your on arrival, and on clearance of customs on your return, to take care of your car, parking it for you and returning it to you at the terminal to save time.

Money Saving Ideas

However, when saving money is important - and it is to me as a regular traveller - then it pays to shop around. As an example of the kind of costs which are involved in "drive up and pay" facilities, short stay parking , available from all four terminals has prices which start from £2.30 for up to 30 minutes, but can cost £44.50 per 24 hour period.

Business parking for travellers who need parking for up to three or four days, or those wanting greater speed and convenience is available in Business car parks situated closer to the terminals than long stay. They also operate a more frequent courtesy coach transfer.

Far more manageable costs are to be had simply by planning ahead and booking a selected car park in advance. Additionally, by using one of the many 25+ car parking organisations with off-airport facilities nearby to all terminals, savings of up to 60% can be found. Amongst these for example, is Purple Parking Heathrow with 1 week rates in July for £39.00, with its regular courtesy bus service to the airport - and Meet and Greet facilities at additional costs.